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Flash Drought Virtual Workshop: Agenda

December 1-3, 2020

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Workshop Objectives

  • Strive for agreement on the basic set of characteristics to which definitions of flash drought should adhere; explore “most useful” flash drought definitions by sector, region, and application.
  • Discuss, understand, and document how existing tools and research can be shaped to meet user needs both in the near-term and in the future.
  • Develop a list of outstanding research needs in monitoring, prediction, and planning/response to improve early warning.
  • Agree upon next steps for this emerging domain and how NIDIS and other partners can support research and coordination.

Day 1: Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Block 1: Scene Setting – Going Beyond Research
Time (ET) What Who
10:30 am Sign-in and Orientation Period Moderator: Marina Skumanich, NIDIS
11:00 am Workshop Welcome and Purpose Moderator: Marina Skumanich, NIDIS
Welcome: Veva Deheza, NIDIS
11:10 am Setting the Context: Flash Drought Stories and Experiences Presenters:
  • Mark Svoboda, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Pam Knox, University of Georgia
  • Pat Guinan, University of Missouri
  • Michael Downey, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
12:00 pm 5-Minute Break
12:05 pm How is Flash Drought Defined in Practice?
Report on End-User Survey Results
Tonya Haigh, NDMC
12:20 pm Q&A / Discussion Facilitator: Marina Skumanich, NIDIS
12:30 pm Lunch Break (45 Minutes)

 

Block 2: Exploring Flash Drought Characteristics
Time (ET) What Who
1:15 pm Flash Drought Literature Review Recap  Moderator: Marina Skumanich, NIDIS
1:30 pm

Breakout B1 Discussions:

  • What are the effects of flash drought? How is it distinct from “normal” drought?
  • What are key characteristics of flash drought?
  • What indicators are most important?
“B1” Breakout Groups
2:15 pm 15-Minute Break
2:30 pm Breakout B1 Report-Out and Group Discussion Moderator: Marina Skumanich, NIDIS
3:30 pm Adjourn Day 1

 

Day 2: Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Block 3: Shaping Tools/Research to Meet User Needs
Time (ET) What Who
11:00 am Introduction to Day 2: Shaping Tools/Research to Meet User Needs Joel Lisonbee, NIDIS
11:10 am

Breakout B2 Discussions:

  • What are user needs related to flash drought?
  • How can existing tools and research be shaped to meet those needs?

“B2” Breakout Groups (By Sector):

  • Energy/industry
  • Water resources
  • Forestry/ecosystems
  • Fire management
  • Response/relief
  • Recreation/tourism
  • Agriculture (livestock)
  • Agriculture (plants)
11:55 am 15-Minute Break
12:10 pm Breakout B2 Report-Out and Group Discussion Moderator: Joel Lisonbee, NIDIS
1:15 pm Adjourn Day 2

 

Day 3: Thursday, December 3, 2020 

Block 4: Identify Research Needs in Monitoring, Prediction, and Planning/Response
Time (ET) What Who
11:00 am Introduction to Challenges, Opportunities, Gaps and Needs Session Molly Woloszyn, NIDIS
11:05 am Flash Drought Monitoring – Challenges, Opportunities, Gaps, and Needs

Presenters:

  • Jason Otkin, University of Wisconsin
  • Mark Svoboda, NDMC
11:20 am Flash Drought Prediction – Challenges, Opportunities, Gaps, and Needs Presenters:
  • Andy Hoell, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
  • Hailan Wang, NOAA Climate Prediction Center
11:35 am Flash Drought Planning and Response – Challenges, Opportunities, Gaps, and Needs Presenters: Tim Hall, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
11:55 am 5-Minute Break
12:05 pm Breakout B3 Discussions: Challenges, Opportunities, Gaps and Needs

"B3" Breakout Groups:

  • Monitoring A
  • Monitoring B
  • Monitoring C
  • Prediction A
  • Prediction B
  • Prediction C
  • Planning A
  • Planning B
12:45 pm Lunch Break (45 Minutes)

 

Block 5: The Path Forward
Time (ET) What Who
1:30 pm Breakout B3 Report-Out and Group Discussion Moderator: Molly Woloszyn, NIDIS
2:25 pm 10-Minute Break
2:35 pm Group Discussion: Revisit Flash Drought Characteristics from Day 1 Facilitator: Joel Lisonbee, NIDIS
3:05 pm Introduction to Next Steps: A clear path forward for this emerging domain, and how NIDIS and other partners can support the research and coordination Veva Deheza, NIDIS
3:10 pm

Group Discussion: Prioritization

  • Which actions/activities are the highest priority?
  • Which are "low-hanging fruit"?

Facilitator: Molly Woloszyn, NIDIS

3:40 pm Workshop Wrap-Up Veva Deheza, NIDIS
3:45 pm Adjourn Workshop